Ibn Rushd Library

Dear Friends,

Good news!   The Ibn Rush'd Library has expanded!

"We expanded the library by moving the wall out over the walkway and also upgrading the restroom," said Mayor Haj Sami.  "We will buy new books soon."

I am sending you photos of Librarian Kefah reading to a class of kindergarteners.  Librarian Kefah is now signed-up in Beyond Access, a movement of people and organizations committed to the idea that modern public libraries help drive economic and social development.  My daughter, Andrea Walker, took these pictures when she came to Al Aqaba with me in May.

Regarding the Ibn Rush'd Entrepreneurship program, the young people are eager to move forward with their frozen vegetable company.  It seems like a good idea — but before committing funds, the next step is to develop a business plan.   We have been looking for a mentor to help the young people and also to help the Rural Women's Association press forward with their respective business plans.  Also, yet a third proposal is coming forward to both groups:  goat-milk ice cream!

In September, I facilitated a panel discussion at the recent Social Capital conference in San Francisco (SOCAP'14), focused on construction financing in the West Bank's Area C.  Through that presentation, we found our way to the Middle East Investment Initiative and their Techical Assistance Program (TAP) funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).  This might be just the group to mentor Al Aqaba's youth entrepreneurs.

The Technical Assistance Program is provided without fees to Palestinian small businesses including start-ups.  Priority is given to East Jerusalem, Gaza Strip, and Area C of the West Bank.  Here are the objectives:

1. Provide technical assistance and training to businesses to better understand their financial and management performance.
2. Guide businesses to achieve better financial and management performance.
3. Provide career opportunities to Palestinian university students by offering internships and practical experience.
4. Provide technical assistance and support to femaleowned businesses.
5. Provide other consulting services tailored to the particular needs of the businesses.
6. Assist businesses applying for credit by helping their owners prepare business plans and supporting documents as required by the lenders when needed.

We look forward to connecting everyone and sending you their business plans in our next update!

I sincerely thank you for your support of both the Ibn Rush'd Library and the Ibn Rush'd Entrepreneurship Program.  Your donation has opened an important and exciting door for these students.  We are all very grateful for your support and we look forward to keeping you updated as new connections are made and their business plans take shape.

Sincerely,
Donna

Links:

• The presentation at SOCAP'14 that helped find business planners
• Modern public libraries help drive economic & social development

• Business plan writing resource from SIDA & MEII (PDF)